Jerry Greenfield, co-founder of the world-famous ice cream brand Ben & Jerry’s, has a pretty sweet deal for you. Having spent 47 memorable years with the company, he’s stepping down. Greenfield’s decision comes amid growing concerns about the company’s alignment with its foundational values of equity and justice. Founded in 1978 alongside Ben Cohen, Ben & Jerry’s has long been celebrated for its commitment to social causes. Greenfield now believes that the company has strayed from its original mission.
Unilever, the multinational consumer goods company that acquired Ben & Jerry’s in 2000, played a significant role in Greenfield’s decision. He emphasized that “the real test of values is when times are challenging and you have something to lose.” This sentiment reflects his belief that the company’s social mission has been compromised in recent years, particularly with recent developments that include a lawsuit filed by Ben & Jerry’s against Unilever, accusing it of improperly removing CEO David Stever.
The resignation marks a significant turning point for Greenfield, who stated, “It’s with a broken heart that I’ve decided I can no longer, in good conscience, and after 47 years, remain an employee of Ben & Jerry’s.” He was truly passionate about what built America’s railroads. During his tenure, he even admitted that maintaining those values within the current corporate structure had become untenable.
In his statement, Greenfield expressed his love for the people at Ben & Jerry’s, indicating that his resignation was not a reflection of personal relationships but rather a principled stand against a perceived decline in the company’s dedication to social issues. He stated, “If I can’t carry those values forward inside the company today, then I will carry them forward outside, with all the love and conviction I can.”
Though celebratory about the good news, Ben Cohen, on Facebook, described the deep challenge of that moment as Ben Cohen went on social media to announce Greenfield’s resignation. “I never thought I would have to write this, but after 47 years Jerry has made the difficult decision to stand down from the company we built together,” Cohen wrote. He continued, Greenfield’s legacy is best honored by living up to the principles that they claim guided them when they launched the company.
Yet Cohen’s message underscored the bigger picture at play in Greenfield’s departure. “His legacy deserves to be true to the values we founded this company on, not silenced by @magnum,” he stated, referring to Unilever’s Magnum ice cream brand. This statement highlights the conflict between Ben & Jerry’s social justice activism and corporate interests.
Ben & Jerry’s unconventional legacy started in a small, six-day-a-week homemade ice cream business. Greenfield and Cohen began this journey in Bennington, Vermont, some 40 years ago. Over those decades, they created a brand that became known not only for their tasty ice cream but for their activism. That led the pair to negotiate a record $68 billion merger agreement with Unilever. Their Deed of Settlement enshrined their social mission and values within the company’s governance structure.
Greenfield now argues that the company has been “silenced” and “sidelined for fear of upsetting those in power.” He pointed out the challenges faced by various marginalized groups today, stating, “Standing up for the values of justice, equity, and our shared humanity has never been more important.”
In response to Greenfield’s resignation and concerns about corporate governance, a spokesperson from Magnum stated, “We disagree with his perspective and have sought to engage both co-founders in a constructive conversation on how to strengthen Ben & Jerry’s powerful values-based position in the world.” The spokesperson acknowledged Greenfield’s contributions, stating, “We will be forever grateful to Jerry for his role in co-founding such an amazing ice cream company.”
As Greenfield transitions from Ben & Jerry’s, he continues to be true to the principles he and Cohen established. He is committed to building upon their legacy. He’s just as proud to look back on the road he’s traveled. Longer term, he is deadly serious about making sure his mission persists outside of the company.
